This week there was no late drama for Rory Best who made his own Captain’s Run unscathed and led a team featuring Johnny Sexton through their final dress-rehearsal at the Aviva Stadium.

Two weeks ago, a stomach bug prevented him from doing the same at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and kept him from winning his 102nd cap a day later, but this time there are no such worries as he comes into the team for Munster’s Niall Scannell at hooker.

Also returning is Johnny Sexton, owner of the most talked about calf in Irish rugby who will start at out-half for his country for the first time since he limped out of the defeat to New Zealand in November.

While Best praised Sexton’s stand-in Paddy Jackson, he conceded that the presence of the experienced Leinster talisman is a lift for his side as they take on France tomorrow.

“Johnny's a world-class No 10 and to have him come back in is great,” the Ulsterman said.

“The way Paddy's performed he's really shown himself as a quality out-half. It's a great dilemma to have as a player's point of view to know you have that cover.

“A few years ago there was probably a fear if Johnny went down we'd be in dire straits, but to have someone like Jacko, a lot his performances have come off the back of learning from Johnny.

“There's competition but everyone helps each other out a bit. To have Johnny back is a big lift, but also to know that Jacko's there as well, that a great reassurance to have.

24 February 2017; Jonathan Sexton of Ireland joins the team photo during the captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

“Even when he stepped back in, he looked fresh and hungry straight away.

“You never have to question his competitive nature, he'll always demand a lot of everyone else but he'll also demand more of himself, and you can see that in training.”

Defence coach Andy Farrell is backing Sexton to bring his usual high standard of play to the party.

“He's got plenty energy hasn't he, but if you look at Paddy's performance last week so did he,” he said.

“The No 10 has got such a responsibility to run the attack, but if you can show big commitment in defence as well, it speaks volumes for them as a person.

“Paddy did that against Italy, definitely, led the line speed and the energy.